Michael McCaul, the new chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the US House of Representatives, says conflict with China over Taiwan may happen in 2025.A top Republican in the United States Congress says the odds of conflict with China over Taiwan “are very high” after a US general caused consternation with a memo suggesting war would happen in two years’ time. In a memo dated February 1 but released on Friday, General Mike Minihan, who heads the Air Mobility Command, wrote to the leadership of its roughly 110,000 members saying: “My gut tells me we will fight in 2025.”…
Author: National Tone
The Miami Dolphins have reached a deal with former Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio to become their defensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hire told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. Fangio, who had been one of the most sought-after defensive coordinator candidates this offseason, was Denver’s head coach from 2019-21, going 19-30. .acf-block-preview .instagram-twitter-container width: 340px; margin: 0 auto; The Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Josh Boyer after three seasons with the team. Miami finished the season ranked 18th in total defense, 27th…
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian criticised the drone attack as ‘cowardly’ and aimed at creating ‘insecurity’ in the country.Israel appears to have been behind a drone attack on a military factory in Iran, United States officials say. Iran said on Sunday that it intercepted drones targeting the facility near the central city of Isfahan, adding there were no casualties. The extent of damage could not be independently ascertained. Iranian state media released footage showing a flash in the sky and emergency vehicles at the scene. Israel was behind the drone attack, The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed US officials and…
Novak Djokovic won a record-extending 10th Australian Open and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam men’s title by using all of his talent and nous to see off Stefanos Tsitsipas.Serbia’s Djokovic started strongly and dug deep in the second set on his way to a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) victory.The 35-year-old, who draws level with Rafael Nadal in major wins, will return to the world number one ranking.Greece’s Tsitsipas, 24, continues his wait for a first Grand Slam triumph.”It’s been a long journey, but a very special one,” said Djokovic, who only dropped one set during the tournament.”I played some…
PHILADELPHIA — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was questionable to return to the NFC championship game on Sunday after he took a hard hit to his right elbow in the first quarter. .acf-block-preview .instagram-twitter-container width: 340px; margin: 0 auto; Purdy was drilled in the arm by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick on a play that was ruled a fumble. The Eagles recovered and Purdy was examined on the sideline. Purdy was replaced by backup Josh Johnson. Johnson, who signed with the 49ers in December, threw two passes this season. .acf-block-preview .instagram-twitter-container width: 340px; margin: 0 auto; Purdy made an…
Ukraine’s military says it repelled the attack near Blahodatne, but the Russian mercenary group says it is in control.Ukraine’s military said its forces drove back an assault in the eastern Donetsk region after Russia’s paramilitary Wagner Group said it took control of Blahodatne village. The forces “repelled attacks near … Blahodatne” and 13 other settlements in Donetsk, the Ukrainian military said in its daily report on Sunday. But the Wagner Group said earlier that its units had seized the village. “Units of Wagner PMC have taken Blahodatne. Blahodatne is under our control,” Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said. There was no…
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Egypt at the start of a three-day Middle East visit with Israeli-Palestinian tensions escalating and Russia’s war in Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear programme high on his agenda. After a stop in Cairo, Blinken will travel on Monday and Tuesday to Jerusalem and Ramallah, where he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, respectively. Blinken’s trip had been planned with Netanyahu’s new right-wing government being the focal point, as concerns over the future of Israel’s direction and stalled peace talks with the Palestinians loomed large. But…
The Miami Dolphins are not expected to pursue quarterback Tom Brady in free agency should the 45-year-old choose to return for another NFL season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. .acf-block-preview .instagram-twitter-container width: 340px; margin: 0 auto; Schefter reports that the Dolphins are committed to Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s starting quarterback. Brady has drawn interest from the Dolphins in the past. Last year, Miami was stripped of a first-round pick and fined $1.5 million for tampering with Brady and then-New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Brady stated he’s still undecided on whether or not he’ll return after his Tampa…
Djokovic defeated Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to claim his 22nd Grand Slam title to equal Rafael Nadal’s all-time record.Novak Djokovic has won his 10th Australian Open championship and record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title overall by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final at Rod Laver Arena. The Serbian star dropped just one set all tournament, despite saying he feared a left hamstring problem might force him to withdraw, and finished with a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) victory over first-time Australian Open finalist Tsitsipas on Sunday. As a result of winning the first Grand Slam of…
Thedevilscoachman was awarded victory in the stewards’ room following a dramatic conclusion to the Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase.Five runners went to post for the Grade Three contest, with the Willie Mullins-trained Ramillies the 13-8 favourite to follow up a successful fencing debut at Thurles last month. Amirite and Rachael Blackmore took the quintet along for much of the three-mile-one-furlong journey, with Ramillies always his nearest pursuer under Paul Townend. With Cheltenham winner Chemical Energy weakening disappointingly, it turned into a three-way fight, with Amirite and Ramillies joined by Thedevilscoachman and Bryan Cooper halfway up the home straight.The drama…